Gov. forms commission on Sandy Hook shootings

Bill Cummings

Published 11:25 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2013

HARTFORD -- Saying it's time to have a "realistic discussion" about guns, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday formed a new commission aimed at preventing tragedies such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown.

"Shortly after the initial horror and grief over what occurred at Sandy Hook, there was one question on the lips of many residents: How do we make sure this never happens again?" Malloy said only hours after Sandy Hook students returned to classes at a newly outfitted school in Monroe.

"It's the right question, even as we recognize that despite our best efforts, bad things will happen. We don't yet know the underlying cause behind this tragedy, and we probably never will. But that can't be an excuse for inaction," Malloy said.

The 15-member Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, comprised of experts on education, mental health, law enforcement and emergency response, is charged with reviewing policies for gun control, public safety, school safety, mental health services and violence prevention.

On Dec. 14, 20-year-old Adam Lanza drove to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and fatally shot 20 young children and six adult staff members.

He had killed his mother earlier in the day and shot himself when police arrived.

The governor stopped short of proposing new laws, such as banning certain types of assault weapons.

But he did say no one needs 30-round magazines like what Lanza brought to Sandy Hook.

"These things are not used to hunt deer," said Malloy, who expects a report from his commission by March 15.

"The commission will look for ways to make sure our guns laws are as tight as they are reasonable. It's time to have a realistic conversation about guns. It would be stupid not to have that conversation," Malloy said.

"I'm pleased the governor is looking at other things, not just guns. I wish they were not looking at guns. We are expecting some measures at the Legislature," Wilson said.

One solution is to allow some school staff to carry or properly store guns on school property, Wilson said, a position advocated by the National Rifle Association.

"Maybe volunteer teachers," he said. "It would give some sort of a deterrent. I'd like to see armed guards at schools."

Asked if allowing guns in schools is a possible solution, Malloy said, "I hope not. But we will take a balanced look at that."

In the wake of Sandy Hook, state legislators are planning a new round of gun-control bills. Proposals thus far include a ban on weapons capable of firing more than 10 rounds; expansion of the definition of an assault weapon; registering guns by model and serial number; a 50-percent sales tax on ammunition; a new permit to buy ammunition; and a ban on purchasing ammunition online.

Connecticut already has among the nation's toughest gun-control laws.

But since a federal ban on assault weapons and the Brady gun-control bill expired nearly a decade ago, semi-automatic assault rifles such as the Bushmaster used by Lanza, which can be loaded with 30-round magazines, are legal.

Malloy said the commission will focus on access to, and the stigma associated with, mental health services in Connecticut and general school safety, such as access to facilities, overall security and what types of protections, controls or barriers should be in place.

Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, who will chair the still-to-be named commission, said the governor is handing him a big job.

"This is a huge issue," said Jackson, who led a similar commission after the 2011 storms knocked out power across the state. "A lot of places are having this dialogue as well."